Aviation: South African Airways appoint Zuks Ramasia as acting CEO

The board of South African Airways has decided to promote general manager of operations Zuks Ramasia to acting CEO of the struggling state-owned company.

SAA CEO resigns
Former CEO Vuyani Jarana handed in his resignation at the start of June citing concerns about a lack of funding and ribbons of red tape dragging decision making to a virtual stand-still.

The news sent a rippling effect through the company with unions involved with the aviation industry threatening strike action if nothing was done to convince Jarana to stay.

He was expected to serve out his notice period until the end of August, but the promotion of Ramasia to acting CEO means he will now be out of a job by the end of the weekend.

There has been no news yet of how the unions feel about the appointment of Ramasia as his acting successor.

Announcement from SAA board
What is clear, though, is that at this stage Ramasia is not being considered for the role permanently and the search has begun for a replacement for Jarani.

“The board of South African Airways is pleased to announce the appointment of Miss Zuks Ramasia as the acting chief executive officer of SAA as of Monday.” SAA board member Thandeka Mgoduso said in a media briefing.

“The board has commenced a search, domestically and globally, for a permanent CEO with appropriate experience and expertise to stabilise the company and to oversee the implementation of the long-term turnaround strategy.

“Mr Vuyani Jarana will no longer serve as the CEO of SAA as from the end of day on Monday, but will avail himself to provide transitional support and handover processes to the board, and management when so required for the duration of his notice period which goes on until the end of August.”